When is a Stair More Than a Stair?

When is a stair more than a stair? Playing on the intrinsic function of stairs as a way of connecting people and places, casual seating is often part of a stair design. Sometimes just the steps themselves create the seating.

RedHat, Boston. Photo © Robert Benson Photography.

Laterally extending the last few steps and adding cushions makes a great space for a quick break with abundant natural light.

HubSpot, Cambridge, MA. Photo © Robert Benson

Classic bleachers add a collegial touch.

Confidential Client, London. Photography © Hufton+Crow.

Minimalistic stadium stairs offer a view of London.

LinkedIn, Chicago. Photo © Eric Laignel

Stairs provide plenty of seating using very little space.

Confidential client, San Francisco. Photo © Japer Sanidad

For a casual briefing, the stairs provide a platform.

IA is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. We focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. We are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, and community.

Healthcare, Thought Leadership

The Collision of Healthcare and Workplace Design

In considering the return to the workplace, designers and workplace experience managers are leaving no stone unturned in the quest for safe and simple solutions. In that process, many are looking to other industries and finding that healthcare, in particular, may hold the key.

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Thought Leadership

UV Space Cleansing: Is it Real and Is it Safe?

In this article, Senior Director of IA Interior Architects’ integrated lighting design team, Gary Bouthillette, AIA, NCARB, LC, addresses questions about UV space cleansing by citing recent research to determine how it works, if it works, and if it makes sense.

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Archive, Thought Leadership

Workplace Restoration: What Happens Next to the State of Work?

In the blink of an eye, our working lives have temporarily relocated from office to home. As highly connected agents of change, we challenge ourselves to be inquisitive and reevaluate the next state of work. With the world in recovery, the workplace is in need of restoration: to rejuvenate and remake itself holistically.

...continued.